AJ Styles appears to have drawn a line under his career in tag team wrestling, following speculation that his partnership with Dragon Lee has reached its end, as his announced WWE retirement in 2026 approaches. The discussion intensified after The New Day‘s Xavier Woods commented publicly that Styles may no longer be able to compete in the tag division against the current competition, highlighting a notable shift in Styles’ celebrated career as a “Phenomenal One.”
AJ Styles and Dragon Lee’s Tag Team Partnership Draws to a Close
In recent months, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston of The New Day had targeted AJ Styles and Dragon Lee, hoping to reclaim the World Tag Team Championship on WWE’s red brand. Though The New Day recently challenged for the titles, they were unable to regain championship status. After a triple threat tag team match victory for Styles and Lee against The New Day and The War Raiders at a live event in Fort Myers, Woods addressed fans on social media.
“From last night after our match in Fort Myers. Dragon bows to Aj in what will be the last time they team up. Because even Dragon knows that Aj can’t hang in the @wwe tag division while we are still in it,”
Woods tweeted on X/Twitter. – Xavier Woods, WWE Superstar
This statement suggested, within WWE’s storylines, that AJ Styles has participated in his final tag team match alongside Dragon Lee. The implication is that the ever-competitive tag team scene, led by groups like The New Day, signals the end of this particular chapter for Styles, who has been a prominent tag team fixture throughout his career.
Looking Ahead: Potential Opponents for AJ Styles’ WWE Retirement in 2026
AJ Styles has openly reflected on his legacy over recent months, giving thought to the conclusion of his illustrious run as a WWE performer. During WWE Crown Jewel in Perth, the Men’s Grand Slam Champion stated his intention to retire from the company sometime in 2026, although he did not give a specific date. This came ahead of what was billed as his last match with the retiring John Cena, underscoring the significance of key rivalries in Styles’ career narrative.
Following Cena’s departure from the ring at Saturday Night’s Main Event, another WWE star, Gunther, was seen confronting and mocking Styles before he left the arena. While final plans for Styles’ last WWE storyline run have not yet been confirmed by company management, speculation has turned to who his last opponent might be. Names like Gunther, Goldberg, and John Cena stand out as possible choices, with company executives considering an impactful farewell to match his stature.
Impact of Styles’ End of Tag Team Competition
AJ Styles stepping away from tag team competition marks the end of an era, raising tension among his fans and the WWE roster as a whole. The move shapes not only his own legacy but also affects dynamics within the tag team division, with performers like Dragon Lee and duos such as The New Day likely to take center stage in tag team pursuits. In the meantime, both the Stamford-based promotion and its global audience will watch closely as Styles’ final years in WWE unfold, wondering who will ultimately share the ring with him in his last match, and how his retirement in 2026 will ultimately reshape the landscape of professional wrestling.
From last night after our match in Fort Myers. Dragon bows to Aj in what will be the last time they team up. Because even Dragon knows that Aj cant hang in the @wwe tag division while we are still in it. pic.twitter.com/N89R0xMCpl
— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) December 31, 2025
